Michigan Will Prosecute Those Who Falsely Alter Blockchain Data

The state of Michigan is introducing two new bills—The House Bills 6257 and 6258—that will recognize the alteration of data on the blockchain as a state crime.

According to HB 6257, anyone that “falsely makes, alters, forges, or counterfeits a public record” with the intention of injuring or defrauding others would face imprisonment “for not more than 14 years.”

HB 6258, on the other hand, is an amendment to the existing state penal code, adding definitions of distributed ledger technology and cryptocurrency. HB 6258 defines cryptocurrency as a “digital currency in which encryption techniques are used to regulate the generation of units of currency and verify the transfer of funds, and that operates independently of a central bank.”

Both the HB 6257 and 6258 have been referred to the Committee on Law and Justice.

Technically, however, blockchain data cannot be changed. One of the many features of blockchain that make it appealing to users is that it is practically impossible to alter data entered onto the blockchain.